"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14,15)
Joshua's words to the Western Tribes (but clearly valid for the entire people of Israel) mark his solemn commission to the people as he is about to "go the way of all the earth." A long time has passed since the initial conquest of the land, and Joshua urges the people not to turn aside from following the Lord.
Indeed, Joshua rightly judges that, while the military conquest of the land has reached a near-term conclusion, each generation will need to have a new spiritual conquest. Or, put more personally, each of us must decide daily (and sometimes momentarily) whom we will serve. As Bob Dylan sang, "you gotta serve somebody." In Joshua's words, we see an dichotomy of intentionality -- that, by choosing not to follow the Lord, the people will inevitably fall into serving the pagan gods of the conquered regions. In truth, we face the same dichotomy: we will choose to serve the Lord, or we will end up serving the "prince of this age," the world, or the flesh. Whom will you choose to serve?
The paramount importance of this decision speaks of why our love for the Lord must awaken our hearts, minds, and souls. If our hearts, minds, and souls are not fully engaged in loving God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, then we will lose our drive. We must become more intimate with Him by cultivating our relationship; otherwise, we will move away from Him. Our society, perhaps best represented through Oprah theology, believes that we may dabble in various faith traditions to satisfying personal effect, but this smokescreen obscures the truth of the passage above. The dichotomy does not disappear, even with modern-day "progress." In The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer wrote: "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God."
The passage also points to the problem of how a nation at "rest" -- spread out over many square miles, instead of living communally -- can continue to follow the Lord in unison. Joshua urges in 22:5: "But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." The nation's commitments are ultimately to God, not man.
The nation, in time, will come to rest on its laurels and fall away from the Father. How could they have avoided this? In one sense, through remembrance: By recalling the words of Moses and Joshua and the punishment of Achan. As Scott wrote earlier, we must see that our personal sin ultimately has repercussions within our families and throughout the entire society. (As a small example, while lust primarily wars against my own body, its effects cause me, in my pride, to diminish the value of others. Multiply this effect over thousands of times, and you have a society that speaks of gender equality but believes in a highly sexualized femininity.) In fact, the Israelites' corporate morality will fall away from this point forward through the time of the Judges because there is little to no personal accountability and insincere commitment from the people to the Lord. God is living, active, and He desires to renew our relationship daily.
QUESTIONS
1. How can you motivate yourself to follow Joshua's words? Whom can you enlist in fighting the battle with you?
2. What lies have you believed about your own sin over the past week? How can you learn and relearn of God's goodness?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
March 13
Joshua 13-17
Growing older on purpose
Caleb is my hero. Caleb says in our text today, "Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."
How does an 85 year old have this spunk in his life? Most people 85 are bitter and have already lost their passion in life? How did Caleb do it?
1. He followed God wholeheartedly… verse 9. The mission kept him in the game. It is all about Jesus.
If you were to summarize your mission in a sentence what would it be?
2. He had a great resources… the Lord helped me… verse 16 With God nothing is impossible.
3. He had great faith… I will drive them out… verse 16 Without faith we will fail.
4. He must have stayed in shape.. just as vigorous. Took care of his body… exercise and diet. Put down that donut as you are reading this and go out for a walk.
What I find amazing is this guy wanted the hill country. I am a road biker, the kind you pedal, and I hate hills. Taking my 230 pound body up a hill is not fun. Going down is great but the climb is terrible. I am put to shame here by an 85 year old guy who wants the hill country. No flat lands for him.
So what can we do to grow old on purpose? Do exactly what Caleb did.
When we are 85 let’s have a race up Bear Mountain, NY.
I will be at the Iron Sharpens Iron conference tomorrow so there will not be an email. Pray for us as 3000 men gather to praise and worship our Lord.
Growing older on purpose
Caleb is my hero. Caleb says in our text today, "Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."
How does an 85 year old have this spunk in his life? Most people 85 are bitter and have already lost their passion in life? How did Caleb do it?
1. He followed God wholeheartedly… verse 9. The mission kept him in the game. It is all about Jesus.
If you were to summarize your mission in a sentence what would it be?
2. He had a great resources… the Lord helped me… verse 16 With God nothing is impossible.
3. He had great faith… I will drive them out… verse 16 Without faith we will fail.
4. He must have stayed in shape.. just as vigorous. Took care of his body… exercise and diet. Put down that donut as you are reading this and go out for a walk.
What I find amazing is this guy wanted the hill country. I am a road biker, the kind you pedal, and I hate hills. Taking my 230 pound body up a hill is not fun. Going down is great but the climb is terrible. I am put to shame here by an 85 year old guy who wants the hill country. No flat lands for him.
So what can we do to grow old on purpose? Do exactly what Caleb did.
When we are 85 let’s have a race up Bear Mountain, NY.
I will be at the Iron Sharpens Iron conference tomorrow so there will not be an email. Pray for us as 3000 men gather to praise and worship our Lord.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
March 12
Keeping your promise even when it hurts
Read Joshua 9-12
A quick note today... the nation did not pray about the Gibeonites. They showed up in Halloween costumes and carrying moldy bread and they pulled a fast one on Joshua and the leaders. Some times leaders make big mistakes. The mistake Joshua made was not praying. Verse 14 says, “they sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” Big slip-up ... pray about everything.
Three days later they arrive in the hood of the Gibeonites. Now what? The Gibeonites deceived the Israelites. That is true but giving your word is a powerful commitment. It is so powerful that the Israelites did not touch them.
Sometimes keeping your word costs you dearly but it is worth every penny. Be a person of your word. Let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No.” Be a truth teller.
Read Joshua 9-12
A quick note today... the nation did not pray about the Gibeonites. They showed up in Halloween costumes and carrying moldy bread and they pulled a fast one on Joshua and the leaders. Some times leaders make big mistakes. The mistake Joshua made was not praying. Verse 14 says, “they sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” Big slip-up ... pray about everything.
Three days later they arrive in the hood of the Gibeonites. Now what? The Gibeonites deceived the Israelites. That is true but giving your word is a powerful commitment. It is so powerful that the Israelites did not touch them.
Sometimes keeping your word costs you dearly but it is worth every penny. Be a person of your word. Let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No.” Be a truth teller.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
March 11
Read Joshua 6-8
How much is your sin going to cost me?
Joshua 7:1 But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord's anger burned against Israel.
Wait a minute. It says here the Israelites acted unfaithfully. I thought it was Achan who sinned? We gain an insight of the cost of sin in this story. What Achan did ended up infecting, or affecting, the entire group. In the end 36 families had to have funeral services, 36 families lost a loved one and would have to live their entire lives with a huge hole in their hearts. That is a tremendous cost for a single sin. It also says that the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. So there was also a vertical disconnection with God because of this sin.
Now if you are saying this is unfair, this just isn’t right you, you are looking at it from an American point of view. We live in a radical individualistic culture where the individual reigns supreme. We even advertise it “Have it your way” or we sing “I did it my way.”
But in eastern cultures the family and community is tightly bound together. You don’t live individually you live as a group. For one person to bring shame upon themselves is to bring shame upon the family name or the entire group.
What we need to learn from this story is that we are all tied together. No one sins in isolation. The eastern culture is a clearer picture of the true cost of sin.
When I sin I hurt my wife, my children, my church and my community. They might not even know what is going on but my sin will impact them because it impacts me. We are not just individuals we are also groups. This should help us in our fight against sin and temptation.
The opposite is just as equally true. We need to make good decisions so that we become pillars of strength to those around us. Today make good, godly choices and then become a pillar of strength to your family, church and community.
Some Lessons from today’s Reading:
1. Secret sins are not really secret.
2. Look at the pattern of sin..... I saw ... I coveted.... I took...... I hid. Sin starts in the heart.
3. Every sin has a tremendous price tag on it. Think ahead when you are tempted to sin.
4. Make a commitment to be a positive influence in your family today. Live a holy life.
How much is your sin going to cost me?
Joshua 7:1 But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord's anger burned against Israel.
Wait a minute. It says here the Israelites acted unfaithfully. I thought it was Achan who sinned? We gain an insight of the cost of sin in this story. What Achan did ended up infecting, or affecting, the entire group. In the end 36 families had to have funeral services, 36 families lost a loved one and would have to live their entire lives with a huge hole in their hearts. That is a tremendous cost for a single sin. It also says that the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. So there was also a vertical disconnection with God because of this sin.
Now if you are saying this is unfair, this just isn’t right you, you are looking at it from an American point of view. We live in a radical individualistic culture where the individual reigns supreme. We even advertise it “Have it your way” or we sing “I did it my way.”
But in eastern cultures the family and community is tightly bound together. You don’t live individually you live as a group. For one person to bring shame upon themselves is to bring shame upon the family name or the entire group.
What we need to learn from this story is that we are all tied together. No one sins in isolation. The eastern culture is a clearer picture of the true cost of sin.
When I sin I hurt my wife, my children, my church and my community. They might not even know what is going on but my sin will impact them because it impacts me. We are not just individuals we are also groups. This should help us in our fight against sin and temptation.
The opposite is just as equally true. We need to make good decisions so that we become pillars of strength to those around us. Today make good, godly choices and then become a pillar of strength to your family, church and community.
Some Lessons from today’s Reading:
1. Secret sins are not really secret.
2. Look at the pattern of sin..... I saw ... I coveted.... I took...... I hid. Sin starts in the heart.
3. Every sin has a tremendous price tag on it. Think ahead when you are tempted to sin.
4. Make a commitment to be a positive influence in your family today. Live a holy life.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 10
Here are my thoughts on todays readings:
Joshua (a modern leader w/ little to no experience in leading large groups) sends out a recognizance team(special ops) to search out the land, which God promised them. Due to their dedication and obedience they accomplish the mission, but it was not easy. Joshua receives the information he needs, and assembles a platoon of men to prepare an attack. He crosses the river and brings his men closer to their target. At that point he takes time to worship God and seek him.
The difference between Joshua and today is: he sought after God's input. One thing that is very neat about Joshua is that he maintained a humble attitude. God showed favor to Joshua (4:14) by exalting him and making him a worthy leader.
In the beginning God instructs Joshua reaffirming him over and over by telling him "be strong and courageous". Joshua 1:9 "Have i not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." It seems that God addresses Joshua's fears before he even has a chance to bring it up. Joshua said nothing to God, but God still asks "have I not commanded you?". His fear is addressed by reminding him: you are going war and God is going to be with you no matter what.
The same questions that Joshua probably would have asked ... we ask. Is God going to be with me today? Will he leave me? Is this too big for God?
Joshua had to lead a few million into a promised land after being exposed to the sun and all kinds of skin cancer for 40 years. Long story short, Joshua had to lead a few million bitter people into a promised land. Our problems probably won't ever compare to his, yet God still made him a promise. The promise to be strong and courageous b/c he won't ever leave our side. That promise still carries to this day. God's promises have no expiration and he loves it when we know them and hold close to them.
Monday, March 9, 2009
March 9
Send me a quick email to let me know where you are in your Bible Reading.
Last Words reveal a lot.
Read Deut 33, 34
For every person, there will come a last meal, a last breath and, of course, a last statement. And in many ways, what we say in the end is a real insight into what we were in life, what we stood for and what we lived for. Generally, we die as we have lived.
Here are some last words.
American patriot Nathan Hale "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Princess Diana, following that horrific car accident in a Paris tunnel, was heard to say, "My God, what happened?"
Voltaire the renowned atheist said to his physician, "I am abandoned by God and man. I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months of life. Then I shall go to hell and you will go with me, oh, Christ, oh, Jesus Christ!"
P.T. Barnum the circus man said, “How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?”
John Maynard Keynes the economist who got us into our current financial mess said, "I wish I'd drunk more champagne."
Gandhi said “My days are numbered. For the first time in 50 years I find myself in the slough of despond. All about me is darkness...”
Karl Marx said, "Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough."
Elvis Presley “I hope I haven't bored you." (Concluding what would be his last press conference.)
Dylan Thomas "I have just had eighteen whiskeys in a row. I do believe that is a record."
Henry David Thoreau in a discussion with his aunt on his death bed was asked by her, “Have you made your peace with your God?” “I never quarreled with my God.'” “But aren't you concerned about the next world?” ”One world at a time.”
Oscar Wilde "Either this wallpaper goes, or I do!"
What a difference faith makes.
Todd Beamer a man of faith and a passenger on United Flight 93, September 11, 2001. “Are you guys ready? Let's roll.”
Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, in the closing months of his life said to a friend, "I am so weak. I can't read my Bible. I can't even pray. I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child and trust."
The great evangelist D. L. Moody, on his deathbed, said, "I see Earth receding and heaven is opening. God is calling me."
Roll the clock ahead 1400 years. See Jesus hanging on a Roman Cross. What will his last words be?
Toward the end of that terrible day – from about noon until three o'clock in the afternoon – an ominous darkness fell across the land. There in the darkness of the hour Jesus cries out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" This is the title for Psalm 22 which Jesus wanted us to read since he could not preach a sermon on the cross. But as Jesus hung there he was enduring hell so that we wouldn’t have to. He was bearing the sins of the world. He was dying as a substitute for others, suffering the punishment for those sins on their behalf. Last words do reveal a lot about a person’s life.
Last Words reveal a lot.
Read Deut 33, 34
For every person, there will come a last meal, a last breath and, of course, a last statement. And in many ways, what we say in the end is a real insight into what we were in life, what we stood for and what we lived for. Generally, we die as we have lived.
Here are some last words.
American patriot Nathan Hale "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Princess Diana, following that horrific car accident in a Paris tunnel, was heard to say, "My God, what happened?"
Voltaire the renowned atheist said to his physician, "I am abandoned by God and man. I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months of life. Then I shall go to hell and you will go with me, oh, Christ, oh, Jesus Christ!"
P.T. Barnum the circus man said, “How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?”
John Maynard Keynes the economist who got us into our current financial mess said, "I wish I'd drunk more champagne."
Gandhi said “My days are numbered. For the first time in 50 years I find myself in the slough of despond. All about me is darkness...”
Karl Marx said, "Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough."
Elvis Presley “I hope I haven't bored you." (Concluding what would be his last press conference.)
Dylan Thomas "I have just had eighteen whiskeys in a row. I do believe that is a record."
Henry David Thoreau in a discussion with his aunt on his death bed was asked by her, “Have you made your peace with your God?” “I never quarreled with my God.'” “But aren't you concerned about the next world?” ”One world at a time.”
Oscar Wilde "Either this wallpaper goes, or I do!"
What a difference faith makes.
Todd Beamer a man of faith and a passenger on United Flight 93, September 11, 2001. “Are you guys ready? Let's roll.”
Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, in the closing months of his life said to a friend, "I am so weak. I can't read my Bible. I can't even pray. I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child and trust."
The great evangelist D. L. Moody, on his deathbed, said, "I see Earth receding and heaven is opening. God is calling me."
Roll the clock ahead 1400 years. See Jesus hanging on a Roman Cross. What will his last words be?
Toward the end of that terrible day – from about noon until three o'clock in the afternoon – an ominous darkness fell across the land. There in the darkness of the hour Jesus cries out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" This is the title for Psalm 22 which Jesus wanted us to read since he could not preach a sermon on the cross. But as Jesus hung there he was enduring hell so that we wouldn’t have to. He was bearing the sins of the world. He was dying as a substitute for others, suffering the punishment for those sins on their behalf. Last words do reveal a lot about a person’s life.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
March 8: Deuteronomy 31,32
Today's passages continues the discussion of blessings and curses from yesterday and reveals much about God's character and the people's path upon inheriting the land.
In the beginning, we see the transition of authority from Moses to Joshua. Both men demonstrated a humility and consecration that should define Godly leaders. They did not exalt their own standings or call upon their positions in order to "lord over" others. Instead, they looked to serve the Israelites, as God had directed them. Much as David claimed God's presence as his source of confidence, Moses urges the people: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) God then commissions Joshua for service and declares His support: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you." (Deuteronomy 31:23)
The next section includes a "song of unfaithfulness" that God places into Moses's mouth. The song and the passage preceding it foretell of the people's coming unfaithfulness, despite Moses's clear admonitions to the contrary. God explains that the people will turn to Him in recognition of their separation from Him and the song He shares with Moses will serve as a "witness" to this truth. The song highlights how God has shown faithfulness to the Israelites in the desery but that the people will abandon God to pursue other foreign gods upon coming into the land; this spiritual adultery will then cause God to "heap calamities upon them/ and spend my arrows against them." (Deuteronomy 32:23) God then indicates that "they are a nation without sense;/ there is no discernment in them." (Deuteronomy 32:28)
Still, despite the people's unfaithfulness, God stays faithful and will have "compassion on his servants/ when he sees their strength is gone." (Deuteronomy 32:36) God's justice comes in His timing, and it will reveal His goodness and awesome power: "See now that I myself am He!/ There is no god besides me./ I put to death and I bring to life,/ I have wounded and I will heal,/ and no one can deliver out of my hand." (Deuteronomy 32:39) While the people have let God down, He will protect them from their enemies.
In the end, Moses points to the great value in the Scriptures: "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you--they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." (Deuteronomy 32:46,47)
QUESTIONS
1. In what areas of your life do you need more discernment?
2. While we live in challenging days, how have you seen God's faithfulness in them? How can the remembrance thereof spur you on during discouraging moments?
In the beginning, we see the transition of authority from Moses to Joshua. Both men demonstrated a humility and consecration that should define Godly leaders. They did not exalt their own standings or call upon their positions in order to "lord over" others. Instead, they looked to serve the Israelites, as God had directed them. Much as David claimed God's presence as his source of confidence, Moses urges the people: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) God then commissions Joshua for service and declares His support: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you." (Deuteronomy 31:23)
The next section includes a "song of unfaithfulness" that God places into Moses's mouth. The song and the passage preceding it foretell of the people's coming unfaithfulness, despite Moses's clear admonitions to the contrary. God explains that the people will turn to Him in recognition of their separation from Him and the song He shares with Moses will serve as a "witness" to this truth. The song highlights how God has shown faithfulness to the Israelites in the desery but that the people will abandon God to pursue other foreign gods upon coming into the land; this spiritual adultery will then cause God to "heap calamities upon them/ and spend my arrows against them." (Deuteronomy 32:23) God then indicates that "they are a nation without sense;/ there is no discernment in them." (Deuteronomy 32:28)
Still, despite the people's unfaithfulness, God stays faithful and will have "compassion on his servants/ when he sees their strength is gone." (Deuteronomy 32:36) God's justice comes in His timing, and it will reveal His goodness and awesome power: "See now that I myself am He!/ There is no god besides me./ I put to death and I bring to life,/ I have wounded and I will heal,/ and no one can deliver out of my hand." (Deuteronomy 32:39) While the people have let God down, He will protect them from their enemies.
In the end, Moses points to the great value in the Scriptures: "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you--they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." (Deuteronomy 32:46,47)
QUESTIONS
1. In what areas of your life do you need more discernment?
2. While we live in challenging days, how have you seen God's faithfulness in them? How can the remembrance thereof spur you on during discouraging moments?
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